A smooth shipping process not only helps streamline your operations as an e-commerce seller, but also ensures your products reach your customers without undue delays. Moreover, you can focus your efforts on growing your business instead of dealing with customer complaints and questions around package delivery status or postage due at the time of delivery.

What can you do to ensure a seamless shipping experience from the time your package leaves your hands and reaches your customer? Follow these five easy USPS shipping guidelines!

Pay Attention To Your Package

Guideline #1 – Round up on Weights: Did you know that the USPS rounds up package weights to the nearest ounce or pound depending on the mail class used? To avoid underpaying for postage or even worse having your customer pay postage at the time of delivery, always round up your package weight. As an example, if your package weighs 10 lbs. and 5 oz., you should use the shipping rate for an 11 lb. package.

Guideline #2 – Check the Dimensions: Your package size can make a difference in how much you pay shipping! Dimensional (DIM) weight may apply to a USPS package that is larger than 1 cubic foot (12″ x 12″ x 12″). Pay attention to the dimensions of your package and avoid unnecessary empty space to lower shipping costs.

Does Your Shipping Label Match Your Package?

Guideline #3 – Verify the Mail Class: What mail class should you use to ship your package? This depends on the weight of your package, how soon you need it to be at its destination and also how much you want to pay for shipping. Remember, each mail class allows packages up to a certain weight limit only. Choose First Class Package Service for packages weighing up to 13 ounces and Priority Mail for packages over that weight limit!

Guideline #4 – Double check the Shipping Zone: USPS Shipping Zones are calculated based on the distance between the origin and destination addresses. Stamps.com customers should verify that the origin zip code (the zip code for where you ship your packages from) is set up correctly.

Guideline #5 – Match the Label to the Packaging: Your shipping label should match your package! For example, based on the package weight, size and shipping zone of your package, if you have decided to use a Flat Rate Priority Mail Box for your package, make sure to choose the corresponding mail class while printing your label. Also, your Flat Rate label must only be used on a Flat Rate box.

USPS Shipping Made Easy With Stamps.com

When you ship with Stamps.com, you don’t need to worry about underpaying for postage. Use your Stamps.com digital scale to accurately weigh your package and the software will automatically use the rounded up weight and charge you the appropriate shipping rate. Next, enter the package dimensions so Stamps.com can determine whether or not DIM weight applies to your package. Select the correct package type or enter the dimensions of your package. Also, make sure to set up your origin zip code correctly. When you enter the destination address, Stamps.com automatically calculates the correct shipping zone for your package. Finally, choose your mail class and Stamps.com will print the appropriate USPS shipping label for your package.

We hear you – managing returns is frustrating. It can feel complex, time consuming, or even like the death of a sale. That said, 60% of shoppers who make at least one return to an online store, a whopping 95% of them will purchase from that store again if the return experience is positive. Moreover, if those shoppers feel that their return or exchange was an easy process, 64% of them will refer that online shop to friends. So even though returns may feel like an e-retailer’s nightmare, they can actually be the catalyst for more sales and new customers. In order to win back those sales, you have to make sure your return process is a walk in the park.

#1. Make It Clear
Your return policy must be easy to find on your site, with all policy information clearly stated. Be detailed and include all rules, like what you will provide (return postage, for example), and a step-by-step guide on how to proceed with the return. If you’d like an example, Zappos.com has a detailed and clearly outlined returns process that appears simple for the customer. Model your return policy webpage after theirs.

#2. Know The Worth Of Returns vs. Customer Service
Figure out ahead of time the value of letting buyers keep the original item and sending them a replacement, vs. asking that they go through the return process. There are some cases where it is actually better for your company’s reputation, even if you end up eating some of your profit. See below for an example from Practical Ecommerce’s 4 Tips for Better Ecommerce Returns and Exchanges where this special circumstance played out:

A guitarist for a popular party and event band recently ordered a new guitar strap from a merchant on the Amazon marketplace. Unfortunately, there was an error in the shipment, and the merchant apparently sent a shorter strap than expected. When this guitarist contacted the seller about an exchange, he was told that a new strap would be shipped that day and that he could simply keep the smaller strap.

This solution was great for the customer, who did not have to repackage the strap or arrange for a carrier to pick it up. He was generally happy with the experience. This was probably also better for the merchant, who might have simply been able to order a new guitar strap from its distributor for about the same cost as having the strap returned.

In order to determine whether or not you can provide this kind of special customer service, you need to know all applicable variables. This includes cost of return shipping, cost of processing the return and profit lost on the item. Sometimes, a small (or fairly insignificant) loss will lead to a huge gain later. A customer could be so impressed with your service that they will not only shop from you again, but they’ll refer friends. Don’t forget, 64% of buyers will speak highly of retailers that gave them a positive return experience.

#3. Bring The Policy To Them
You already know not to bury your return policy landing page somewhere on your website where shoppers will have a hard time finding it. To keep them in the loop, consider posting (just once) on your social media sites either a link to your return policy page or a cliff notes version for them to quickly scan. Doing this will communicate that you are on their side and want them to be happy with their purchase – and if there is an issue, you want to make the return easy for them. This can be especially timely during the holiday season, and may be a smart post for December 26th. Drive it home with a follow up post inviting social media followers to share pictures of themselves with their new products. The more you can establish an emotional connection between your business and your buyers, the better your business will perform. According to a 10-year study conducted by Hiebing, brands that evoke a strong emotional response can sell more, drive customer loyalty and successfully charge up to 200% more than competitors.

With these tips in your back pocket, you can simplify the return process for your e-commerce store. Your buyers will appreciate it, and so will your bottom line. Of all the customers who make returns, are you ready to bring back the 95% who will shop from you again?

Ecomdash is an award-winning multichannel inventory software for ecommerce retailers. It offers an end-to-end ecommerce solution to complete workflow, including inventory and sales order management, product listing, dropshipping and fulfillment management, reporting and more.

If you need your packages delivered overnight, Priority Mail Express is a great option! The mail service provides the fastest delivery offered by the U.S. Postal Service with delivery occurring 7 days a week, 365 days of the year. The USPS also offers a money-back guarantee if your package is not delivered on time.

The Money-Back Guarantee
Unlike First Class Mail or Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express has a money-back guarantee if your mailpiece is not delivered by the promised time. The money-back guarantee is contingent on a number of factors including the package drop-off time as well as the origin and destination zip codes. You can access specific guaranteed times here: http://postcalc.usps.com/ServiceCommitments.aspx.

How do I get a refund on late Priority Express Mail?
So what happens if your mailpiece is not delivered by the specific commitment time? The USPS handles delivery of your mailpiece, so even if the postage on your mailpiece is printed via the Stamps.com platform, the USPS will be responsible for the refund.

For domestic mail, if your Priority Mail Express item is not delivered by the guaranteed time, please visit your local Post Office no later than 30 days from the date the item was mailed. Before you go, please take with you a copy of the receipt from your Print History.

If you’re logging into the Stamps.com software, click on “Search” on the left side of your software screen and click on the info box (i) that corresponds to the label/tracking number in the Print History. Click on “Print” to generate a physical copy of your receipt.

If you’re logging into Stamps.com Online, click on the “History” tab at the top of your screen and select “Search Print History.” After that, the instructions are the same as for the Stamps.com software.

At the Post Office, the window clerk will ask you to complete PS Form 3533 (Refund for Postage). Please be aware that the form is not available online. Once your claim is verified by the clerk, your claim will be paid by cash or money order.

How do I get a refund on late Priority Express Mail for international mail?
For international mail, a money-back guarantee is currently available for Priority Mail Express International items sent to the following countries:

Starting in 2015, UPS Ground and FedEx Ground/Home Delivery will modify their shipping rates. The current rates are based on the weight of the package, but the new shipping rate method will be based on the size of the package. This pricing program is known as Dimensional Weight Pricing, also referred to as “DIM Weight.”

Stamps.com has released a NEWDimensional (DIM) Weight Guide. The FREE downloadable PDF includes everything you need to know about DIM Weight including:

How can you be sure your packages will be delivered by December 25th? Easy! Just meet the shipping deadlines of the U.S. Postal Service. Check out the mailing and shipping deadlines for domestic, international, and APO/FPO/DPO military addresses below.

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